1. 1 Sales and Persuasive Messages Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 4e Copyright © 2003

2. 2 Purpose and Audience Purpose Convert the reader to your ideas, or Motivate reader to take action Audience They are thinking….. Why should I? Whats in it for me? Whats in it for you? Who cares? You have to….. Analyze why they may resist your proposal Connect your purpose with their needs

3. 3 The Indirect Pattern for Persuasion

4. 4 Writing Sales Letters

5. 5 Gaining Attention Offer something valuable, promise a significant result, or describe a product feature. Present a testimonial, make a startling statement, or show the reader in an action setting.

6. 6 Gaining Attention Example: How much is sex costing your company? An incident of sexual harassment can cost millions of dollars unless preventive measures are taken.

7. 7 Gaining Attention Describe a problem. Six of our computers were recently infected with the Melissa virus, and we lost at least 25 work hours trying to repair the problem. Present an unexpected statement. If you checked carefully, youd probably find that 20 percent of your customers account for 80 percent of your profits.

8. 8 Building Interest Describe the product in terms of what it does for the reader. Show how the product or service saves or makes money, reduces effort, improves health, produces pleasure, or boosts status.

9. 9 Building Interest Example: Our computer-based training program teaches your employees what behavior is acceptable and unacceptable, while showing you steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of employer liability.

10. 10 Building Interest Suggest reader benefits. Now you can immediately protect all your computers from the latest viruses with our online anti-virus program. Pay a compliment. Because no one generates as much audience enthusiasm as you do in your presentations, we are asking you to speak....

11. 11 Building Interest Supply facts and figures. Currently 16,000 known computer viruses are in existence, and the number increases by 300 to 400 each month. Give examples. One company lost valuable data and had no recent backup disks to replace infected files.

12. 12 Building Interest Cite expert opinion. Hostile code can hit without warning, says virus specialist Dr. Tony Timm, so companies must have a virus antidote or they risk all their operations. Provide specific details. In a test comparing six of the leading anti- virus programs, our program was flawless in virus detection, easy to use, and low in ownership cost.

13. 13 Building Interest Mention direct benefits. Our anti-virus program can protect you from subtle corruptions of data that may go unnoticed for months. Mention indirect benefits. Your company continues to be a pacesetter in the health care industry by setting an example for other organizations who are bewildered by the growing number of viruses.

14. 14 Reducing Resistance Counter reluctance with testimonials, money- back guarantees, attractive warranties, trial offers, or free samples. Build credibility with results of performance tests, polls, or awards.

15. 15 Reducing Resistance Example: This important investment in sexual harassment prevention comes with a money- back guarantee. If you are not satisfied, your entire training costs are returned.

16. 16 Motivating Action Close with repetition of the central selling point and clear instructions for an easy action to be taken. Prompt the reader to act immediately with a gift, incentive, limited offer, or deadline. Put the strongest motivator in a postscript.

17. 17 Motivating Action Example: Sign up now and you receive a free 60-day trial. Call, fax, or e-mail us today to receive a free demo disk. You cant lose!

18. 18 End